Fantasy Baseball 2026: Closer Confidential Week 4
Injuries, inconsistencies, and no-name relievers getting save chances were the themes of week 3. The only thing that went right for the Mets this week is that low velocity and knee discomfort allowed them not to have to face their former closer Edwin Diaz.
Wondering about when 2026 stats start to matter for Pitchers and Hitters? Check this out.
While Diaz has knee discomfort, major league managers are experiencing late game discomfort with regularity recently. All grades in bold denote changes to save situations and/or overall grades.
Things are fluid, so grab a cup and don't get thirsty.
Reviewing the Categories
We group closers, and committees, into three cohorts:
- Secure: 90 and Above - Low-to-no risk; good results, strong underlying statistics
- Shaky: 80-89 – Some doubt exists, often with inconsistent supporting skills/stats
- Seesaw: 79 and Below – Committees and closers in trouble. 9th inning is (or should be) in doubt.
Secure Closers
Last week I wrote "Yes, Edwin Diaz blew a save. I don't care. Yet. " Well now I care.
Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are still gonna "tread lightly" with Edwin Díaz's workload as he works to get his velocity up. His usage will be evaluated "day-to-day" for now. Roberts clarified that the concern level with Díaz is low & that "it's not an IL thing we're talking about" Instead, he framed it as just wanting to be cautious with their new closer until his stuff is back to where it normally is.
Later in the week Diaz hinted at knee discomfort and added that low velocity early in the season is a regular occurrence since his injury at the World Baseball Classic a few years ago. That injury was… to his knee… and cost him a full season. So out of precaution, I dropped him to 93, just as a signal to all of you to watch and listen closely.
On Edwin Díaz: Dave Roberts noted the caveats (long layoff, non-save situation, pitching at Coors) but still acknowledged some concern with the state of his stuff
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 19, 2026
"I know what it's supposed to look like, and when it doesn't look like that, it gets a little concerning."
Mason Miller is a beast. But you knew that.
Welcome back Hold King Hunter Gaddis.
If the Mets never have a save situation and we never see Devin Williams in high pressure situations, does he even appear?
Jhoan Duran headed to the IL with a dreaded oblique injury for the reeling Phillies, so the new closer committee was bumped to the shaky category for now while they figure it out.
Changes in Confidence Grade or Closer Status in bold
Seesaw Situations
Trevor Megill had some disastrous outings of late (including a ninth inning that included THREE bunts to force him out of the game without registering an out) and has been supplanted by Abner Uribe. Thus, they have landed in this group… Santana and Soto See Saw for the Swashbucklers… Victor Vodnik earned his third save and is close to graduating to "Shaky" though Zach Agnos has the perfect handlebar mustache for a closer… We welcome Enyel De Los Santos to the dumpster fire that is the Astros' ninth inning. Bryan Abreu is not even in consideration for saves while Josh Hader slowly works his way back from arm injury… Ryan Walker is out in favor of a committee in SF, so they are naturally in a seesaw situation with a 73 grade this week… Although Seranthony Dominguez continues to be backed by a pair or (not Air) Jordans, I continue to list Grant Taylor as next in line because my wife tells me to put things out in the universe that I want to become reality. I hope they stop using Taylor as an opener and in low-leverage situations… Add Joel Kuhnel to the committee in Sacramento. Sure why not?
Closer | Next Option(s) | Confidence Grade | Last Week |
Paul Sewald - ARI | Jonathan Loáisiga | 79 | 75 |
Abner Uribe* – MIL | Trevor Megill | 79 | 83 |
Lucas Erceg – KC | Matt Strahm, Carlos Estévez (inj) | 79 | 79 |
Victor Vodnik – COL | Jimmy Herget, Zach Agnos | 79 | 73 |
Dennis Santana* - PIT | Gregory Soto* | 79 | 75 |
Enyel De Los Santos* - HOU | Bryan King*, Bryan Abreu, Josh Hader (inj.) | 79 | 89 |
Seranthony Dominguez - CHW | Jordan Leisure, Jordan Hicks, Grant Taylor | 79 | 79 |
Riley O'Brien - STL | JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek, Matt Svanson | 77 | 77 |
Jordan Romano- LAA | Drew Pomeranz, Ben Joyce (inj), Robert Stevenson (inj), Kirby Yates (inj) | 75 | 75 |
Clayton Beeter* - WAS | Gus Varland* | 74 | 74 |
Erik Miller* - SF | Keaton Winn*, Caleb Kilian* | 73 | 81 |
Bryan Baker* - TB | Griffin Jax*, Garrett Cleavinger(inj),Edwin Uceta (inj.) | 72 | 72 |
Joel Kuhnel* - ATH | Hogan Harris*, Justin Sterner* | 71 | 71 |
Jakob Junis* - TEX | Cole Winn*, Jacob Latz | 68 | 68 |
Cole Sands* - MIN | Kody Funderburk | 68 | 68 |
*Denotes Closer Committee
Changes in Confidence Grade or personnel in bold
2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Questions, Answered
Q: Who are the most reliable closers after week 4 of 2026?
A: Several established closers posted clean outings with elite strikeout rates. Updated confidence grades place them firmly in the Secure tier heading into Week 4.
Q: Which bullpens entered or deepened committee territory this week?
A: Two teams showed true committee usage with multiple relievers earning saves. Managers in deeper leagues should handcuff or stream aggressively.
Q: Who are the top waiver-wire closers from week 4?
A: The clearest adds are next-in-line relievers who showed dominance after an IL move or committee shift.
Q: How should advanced managers adjust saves strategy after week 4?
A: Prioritize the Secure tier (90+ confidence) and only roster one or two Shaky/Seesaw options. Monitor IL returns closely.
Q: Did any established 2026 closers lose their jobs in week 4?
A: No full job losses occurred, but injury news and early performance dips have already created clear next-in-line candidates in several bullpens.
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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 7:08 PM.